Resilient construction for use in furniture



Dec. 23, 1947. M. ZALICOVITZ RESILIENT CONSTRUCTIONS FOR USE INFURNITURE IIYVENTOR.

3 Z 2 win/7267s.

Filed Nov. 4, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 23, 1947. M. ZALICOVITZ FORRESILIENT CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Nov. 4, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v aux 5. 5 6

INVENTOR 6,773 &//b0w/z Dec. 23, 1947.

M. ZALICOVITZ 2,433,012 RESILIENT CONSTRUCTIONS FOR USE IN FURNITUREFiled Nov. 4, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. J [arr/Is Za/z'cow'tk i/ tfai Refs.

Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES o-FFICE 2,433,013

RESILI-ENT (JONSTRUCTION:v FOR; USEIEIN: FURNITURE;

Mme zaliwvitz, hirtieth-area pplicatiOmNovember 4, 194.2;S'enialrNo. 464440;

iqlai ns, 1;

This invention; relates-to resilient "constructions, and-hasparticularreference toresilient constructions; especiallyiadapted for use in,furniture.

"11 71.6 p maryobjeottof the inventionis tOJpI'O-1 vide a resilient;construction, which; entirely eliminates the use: of metallandp otherstrategic material.

Another object is to providea. resilient construction of relativelyinexpensive, readily avail:- able non-strategic materials. such aspaper, cardboard, or synthetic plastics.

Another "object; is :to provide a resilient-constructio-n, which can beproducedv on a-l'arge commercial, scale at a relatively small cost.

Another object is to provide aresilient-construction, particularlysuitable for use in furniture such as cushions, sofas, couches, cots,beds, mattresses, bed/springs, etc.

Another object is toprovide an 'article of :furniture of light, rugged,resilient constructionwhi'ch does; not: contain metallic springs, andwhich is at least as comfortable as furniture made with springs of; theconventional. type.

In its very essence; thev resilient construction of'the: inventionconsistsiof'oneor more units in the form: of tubes, eachconstructed outof-afiexibio, relatively stiff, non-metallic sheet material suchasypaper; cardboard, or synthetic pla'stic's; Thes tubes are preferablyof relatively short length, and have two opposite substantially flatsides; the connecting sides being. providedwith creases: or linesioffoldparallel: to. the flat side's. For convenience, the creasedsi'd'es maybe re ferred' to as plaited, bellowed or accordion sides. By reason ofthe bellowedi sides, the units may; be collapsed. by the application ofpressure to the unerea-sed sides.

The inventionfis of general application in its fielli. and. theunderlying directing concept is capable of being embodied in alargenumber of physical forms, Forthe purpose or this disclosure,several different forms of resilient units will be illustrated anddescribed', and the units will be shown and described as being embodied"in two articles of furniture; namely, a mattress and a bedspring;Although; the, invention will be de'-! scribed with considerable detail,and particularity and certain specific language will be utilized, itwill be understood that the disclosurel is illustrative rather thanrestrictive, and that the inven-- tion is not limited to the embodimentsshown. Also that terms such as top; bottom, sides, etc-., are used inarelativeandnot absolute sense.

Brief reference-will now be had tothe drawings, wherein! me it Qf' he;resilient: 1L1} 2. Fi s pe s e tive v ew.- q m m-bQdi:

wh ch; ns itut s: he; the mention;

essential elem l Figure; a ewes, eikzn; a onen .1- Z 0f Figura wayof'supezfposing two of theunits of Figure 8 Figure '10- is a"perspeotive'view of a resilient unitsimilar to the 'unit ofFigure-G;but; being substantialllvtaller;

Figure '11: is-a cross-section through Figure 10 G n-line l|| l Figure12 is a perspective view,- part-ly broken away, of another formofresilient unit;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the outer mg rd ieute 2.;

Figure 14 is a perspective View of the inner member of Figure 12;

Figure 1'5 is a, perspective 'view of two units sufih f lh n Figur 1,npe ipqsed' so a fq form 'a'ta'll'er unit;

s r fi sfaper'speq ive ew ho i g asec Way f un rn s ngl-twqunits of Fure 12;

Figure l 7 is a'perspective View showing athird w s: Q' luner s nstw unis f F ure, 2;

Figure l g isja perspectivevview, partly broken away at a ot e frm'otfgresili u t;

F e. f a'n'er ct e ew t e Outer l entbf. i' 'gli e fir I ig re 2D. a erpe v v ew 0f in rme iate el ment. o' 'E eure v F1 re Ellis; a.perspective view of the inner leme tu e 8;

s s 2. i a ossection t s ue Fi r 1 on line 22-22 F ure 23. a FisumZZ;

F gur -24 s a e s ecii e iewo one rne of a er es mattress, art yb oken.away, embody-r inga plura ty oiresilient units of the invention;

Figure; 2 5 is-a cross-section through a modified;

cross section on line 2 3-.23 of form or spring mattress, the paddingand covering material being omitted for clearness;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of one corner of a box spring, partlybroken away, embodying a plurality of resilient units of the invention;and

Figure 27 is a cross-section through the resilient construction ofFigure 26, the padding and covering materials being omitted forclearness.

As has been pointed out, the gist of the invention is a resilient unitin the form of a tube of non-metallic sheet material such as paper,cardboard or synthetic plastic, having two opposite plaited, bellowed oraccordion sides so that the unit may be collapsed by the application ofpressure. The sheet material may advantageously, but not necessarily, betreated as by coating or impregnation with one or more substances toimpart desired properties thereto such as resiliency, vermin-proofness,resistance to water and fire, etc. A sheet material, which is notnormally stiff or flexible enough for my purpose, may be impregnatedwith a material such as a resin (natural or synthetic), to render itsuitable.

A very simple form of resilient unit is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thisunit consists of a single strip of cellulosic material such as kraftboard, bent into a relatively short tube of substantially rectangularconstruction, the end portions of the strip overlapping and beingsecured together by means of a suitable adhesive, or by stitching orstapling. The unit has the substantially flat top I, the substantiallyflat two-layered bottom 2, and the bellowed or accordion sides 3, 4. Thebellowed sides may be readily formed by providing the sides with ahorizontal crease line or line of fold 5, 6.

The unit maybe made of desired height, but since the sides have but onecrease, it may be preferable to stack two or more shallow units toobtain a unit of increased height. Three diiferent.

ways of superposing two units are shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Thestacked units may be secured together in suitable manner as by adhesive,stapling or stitching, or by clamping them together. The superposedunits exhibit greater resistance to pressure applied to the top, thandoes a single unit.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the two units, designated as1, 8, are superposed lengthwise of each other. In Figure 4, the twounits, indicated by 9, 10, are superposed crosswise (right angles) toeach other, and in Figure 5, the two units, denoted by I I, I2, aresuperposed in diagonal relationship. If thought necessary or desirable,the protruding corners may be cut off.

In order to increase the resistance of the unit to pressure applied tothe top, the unit may be provided with a central plaited or bellowedpartition as shown in Figures 6 and '7. Referring to these figures, itwill be seen that the unit is formed out of a single strip of cellulosicmaterial to form the flat top and bottom, I4 and I5 respectively, theplaited or bellowed sides [6, l1, and the central plaited or bellowedpartition Hi. It is to be noted that due to the manner of the formation,one-half of the top wall and one-half of the bottom wall are in twolayers. The two layers may be secured together as by adhesive, staplingor stitching.

Two difierent Ways of superposing several units of Figures 6 and 7 areillustrated in Figures 8 and 9. In Figure 8, two units, 20, 2|, areshown disposed one above the other lengthwise, while in Figure 9, twounits 22 and 23 are shown superposed cross-wise (right angles) to eachother. In

either case, the superposed units may be secured together in anysuitable manner, as by means of adhesive, stapling, stitching orclamping.

In Figures 10 and 11 is illustrated a unit similar to the one shown inFigures 6 and 7, the unit being of greater height and the side walls andintermediate partition being provided with a greater number of creasesor lines of fold (accordion plaits). This unit may be formed out of asingle strip of material of sufficient length. The top and bottom aredenoted by 25 and 26 respectively, the bellowed sides by 21 and 28, andthe central bellowed partition by 29.

In Figures 12, 13 and 14 is shown a form of resilient unit comprising anouter member 3| and an inner member 32. The outer member 3| may be ofthe same construction as the unit shown in Figure l, and furtherdescription is not necessary. The inner member 32 is a strip ofcellulosic material bent into a short rectangular tube having the flatopposite sides 33 and 34 respectively, and the plaited or bellowed sides35, 36. As shown, the inner member fits into the outer member, the flatsides of the two members being in parallel contacting relationship andtheir plaited or bellowed sides being at right angles. The members maybe left unsecured, or they may be secured together as by stitching,stapling or adhesive.

Figures l5, l6 and 17 show three ways of superposing several units ofFigure 12 so as to obtain a, unit of greater height. In Figure 15, twounits (49, i l) are superposed lengthwise of each other; in Figure 16,two units (42, 43) are positioned cross-wise, or at right angles, and inFigure 17, two units (44, 45) are stacked diagonally. The superposedunits may be secured together in any of the Ways previously mentioned,or may be left unsecured. The protruding corners in Figure 17 may be cutoff.

As has been stated, the resilient units comprising a central bellowedpartition in addition to the side Walls, and those consisting of severalstacked units exhibit greater resistance to vertical pressure than thesimpler form shown in Figure 1. In Figures 18 to 23 inclusive isillustrated a form of resilient unit, which exhibits still greaterresistance. This form consists of an outer memlger, an intermediatemember and an inner mem- Referring to said figures of the drawing, itwill be seen that the outer member 50 is a short rectangular tube havingthe flat top 5|, the flat bottom 52 and the plaited or bellowed sides 53and 54. The plaited or bellowed sides are shown to have three horizontalcreases or lines of fold.

The reference numeral 56 designates the intermediate member, which isalso a rectangular tube, but of shorter length, having the flat top andbottom 51, 58 and the bellowed or accordion sides 59 and 60. It is to benoted that the top and sides are formed of one strip of material, andthe bottom of another, the two strips being secured together in asuitable manner. It is also to be noted that the intermediate member ismade of a longer, though narrower, strip of material than the outermember. The bellowed sides of the intermediate member have five creasesor lines of fold, two more than in the sides of the outer member. Itwill be understood, that the intermediate member has a greater effectivelift, when unrestrained, than the outer member.

The inner member is denoted by the numeral 62, and is formed of a stripof cellulosic material bent on itself seven times, providing the two endadhesive;

tabsilic'sandfifl and aniintermediatefplaitedoraccordion portion. .6 5having-five. creases. orlinescr fdldi The plaitedvportion fii issubstantially "the sameflengtli as eachnof the bellowed side walls ofthe:intermediatememberfifi and longertth'aneach of the. bellowed wallsof the outer member. a result, when the units are assembled in 'themanner shown. in: Figure 18, pressure applied to the top will be.distributed more uniformly than would otherwise be'the case.

Referring to Figure. 18, it will be seen that the intermediateelement 55fits into the outer element'fiil, the flat sides of the two membersbeing in parallel contacting relationship and their plaited or bellowedsides being at right angles. As inthe previously described embodiment,the two members may be. left unsecured, or they may be secured togetheras by stitching, stapling or The :inner member Ii'l fits. within theintermediate member, and maybe disposed par allel to theplaitedonaccordion.sides of the outer member. The two tabs 63 and '61may be secured in any suitable manner t'o the flat top and bottom oftheihtermediate member.

The. units, which have been described, may be embodied into variousarticles of furniture such as" cushionssotas, couches, beds, mattresses,etc., which. require a resilient foundationor base. The units-mayalso beformed into-a resilient construction for use instead of a-bed spring. InFigures 2 1- and 26, the resilient units are shown embodied-'in a springmattress and a'box spring respectively. In each-of .these' articles offurniture, a plurality of units are positioned in close proximity soasto form a resilient construction of desired dimensions. The resilientconstructionmay be formed of one or more layers of juxtaposed units; thepreferable arrangement in the case of units such as shown in Figure 18being: a single layer of closely'spaced' units.

Reference will now be. made to Figure 24, wherein the units are shown,embodied in a mattress of the inner spring type. The reference numerals1|, 12, 13, I4, 15, etc., denote a number of units arranged in closelyspaced relationship in a single layer on a sheet of fabric such aspaper, cloth, etc., denoted by the numeral 80. The units are preferablydisposed so that adjacent units have their accordion sides at rightangles. A similar fabric 8| covers the units, the units being secured tothe two fabric layers as by means of adhesive or stitching. The uppercovering fabric may advantageously be provided with indentations asshown at 82, 83, 84, 85, etc., to fit down in between the adjacentunits. The lower covering may be provided with similar indentations asshown at 86, 81, 88, 89, etc., to fit in between the adjacent units. Theunits positioned at each corner of the structure may be rounded at theouter corners as shown in the case of unit 'II, so that the resultingarticle may have rounded corners.

The top and bottom of the juxtaposed units may be provided as shown withthe outer rims 90 and 9 I, which may be of non-metallic material such ascardboard, wood, Masonite, Celotex, etc. The assembly may be made into amattress in substantially the same way as a spring construction is madeinto a mattress of the conven tional type. By way of illustration, itmay be stated that the assemblyis completely covered with a clothenvelope, denoted by 92, a layer of padding 93 of suitable thickness isapplied, and an outer covering 94 of cloth is finally applied. Ifthought necessary or desirable, the final struc- 6 ture may be;ornamented ior: embellished; itQ: in:- crease its: sales appeaL. I

A permissible. variation. overthestructure shown in Figure 24 is shownin Figure 25. lnzathe embodiment of Figure: 25., thegouter rim '90 ontopof the .resilientunit or the outerrimtst on: the bottom. of. theresilient unitor both of said; rims may be replacedby a fitameof'basket-weave'cone struction.

Referring to this figure, the resilient unitsiare denoted by 1:2 14:etc.,. the bottom covering; is denoted by flfl the top covering by M Thetop covering is shown; provided; with the indentations 182 83. 84.etc.,. and the bottom covering, is shown. provided with the indentations85 ,86 81:1. It will be understood that. other indenta tions: running atright angles to. those shownare also provided, all of saidindentationsfitting into thespacesbetween the units.

The top: or: theasslembly is shown provided with an outer. rim. 90 whilethe bottom .is shown pro. vided: with a basketsweaveframe '95. Thisframeconsists of antouter rim .9I and a number of transverseslats (one ofwhich isin'dicated' by96)., and a number of longitudinal slats;91 ,;98anct'SS'. The number of longitudinal slats is. equal to the number of;resilient. units arranged transverse.-

ly, and. the number of) transverse: slats; is.-.equal to thenumberofresilient units arrangedelongituadinally. Furthermore, thelongitudinal slats cross the transverse slats at the. center of the:resilient units. Hence, pressure applied to theframe will betransmittedto the. central axis'of eachzuni-t in the. assembly.

In Figure 26 is shown. an. assembly-similar-to that of Figure 241embodied ina bed springrof the so-cal1ed box :type- The juxtaposedunits, which are indicated: by Hill, 1111., 1.02, ms, =etc;, are mountedon abase boardlild. of non-strategic ma.- teria-lvsuchas wood. The topof the assembly may be covered by a cloth layer I05 having folds. 1:06,I01, etc.,, extending down in between thex units. A peripheral, rim;III] of; cardboard, Masonita, Celotex, etc.,.may be positionedon; top"ofzth'e cloth layer and a layer. III of similari'material may be placedon the rim. One orm-oreuarlditional boards or slats II2 may be placedbetween the assembly of units and the layer II I for added support. Alayer of padding II3, as is conventional in box springs, may be appliedto the top and sides of the assembly, and the whole is covered with acloth envelope I I 4.

Articles of furniture made in the foregoing manner are rugged instructure, attractive in appearance, and at least as comfortable asfurniture having conventional springs. They have the advantage that theyare made entirely of nonstrategic, readily obtainable, inexpensivematerials, and are of relatively light weight.

It is to be noted that when the units of the in vention are embodied inarticles of furniture, they have increased resistance to pressure due tothe entrapment of air. This greatly increases the cushioning efiect ofthe article of furniture.

I claim:

1. A resilient unit comprising a tube of flexible, relatively stiffcellulosic sheet material having two opposite substantially flat sidesand two connecting sides, said connecting sides being formed with one ormore lines of fold parallel to said substantially fiat sides, said unitbeing collapsible by the application of pressure parallel to saidconnecting sides, and resilient means interposed between saidsubstantially flat opposite sides to resist collapse of said unit by theapplication of 7 pressure, said means consisting of a second tub havingtwo opposite substantially fiat sides and two connecting sides formedwith one or more lines of fold.

2. A resilient structure consisting of a top layer and a bottom layer inspaced relation, and a plurality of units disposed between said layersside by side both longitudinally and transversely of said layers, eachof said units comprising a tube of flexible, relatively stifinon-metallic sheet material having two opposite substantially flat sidesand two connecting sides, said connecting sides being formed with one ormore lines of fold parallel to said substantially flat sides, all ofsaid units being disposed with their connecting sides substantially atright angles to the top and bottom layers, and means connecting saidunits to said top and bottom layers.

3. A resilient structure consisting of a top layer and a bottom layer inspaced relation, and a plurality of units disposed between said layersside by side both longitudinally and transversely of said layers, eachof said units comprising a tube of flexible, relatively stiff cellulosicsheet material having two opposite substantially flat sides and twoconnecting sides, said connecting sides being formed with one or morelines of fold parallel to said substantially fiat sides, all of saidunits being disposed with their connecting sides substantially at rightangles to the top and bottom layers, and means connecting said units tosaid top and bottom layers.

4. An article of furniture having a resilient foundation, saidfoundation comprising a plurality of resilient units disposed side byside both longitudinally and transversely of said article, each of saidunits comprising a tube of flexible, relatively stifi cellulosic sheetmaterial having two opposite substantially fiat sides and two connectingsides, said connecting sides being formed with one or more lines of foldparallel to said 5. An article of furniture having a resilientfoundation, said foundation comprising a plurality of resilient unitsdisposed side by side both longitudinally and transversely of saidarticle,

each of said units comprising a tube of flexible, relatively stiffcellulosic sheet material having two opposite substantially flat sidesand two connecting sides, said connecting sides being formed with one ormore lines of fold parallel to said in substantially fiat sides, all ofsaid units being disposed with their connecting sides substantially atright angles to the top and bottom of said article, means within eachunit to resist collapse by pressure, and means connecting said resilientunits together.

MORRIS ZALICOVITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,627,835 Combs May 10, 19271,917,970 Hayes July 11, 1933 580,284 Krieg Apr. 6, 1897 585,834 RuthJuly 6, 1897 591,022 Steiner Oct. 5, 1897 133,102 Hollings Nov. 19, 1872771,809 Burnell Oct. 11, 1904 336,774 Wells Feb. 23, 1886 18,630 ColtonNov. 17, 1857 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 253,768 Great BritainJune 24, 1926 180,406 France Dec. 21, 1886 389,833 Great Britain Mar.20, 1933 333,265 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1930 476,659 Great Britain Mar.6, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES substantially fiat sides, all of said unitsbeing disposed with their connecting sides substantially at right anglesto the top and bottom of said article, and means connecting saidresilient units together.

Ser. No. 383,860, Sluyter, (A. P. C.) pub. May 11, 1943.

